Studs claim top genetics at Rockingham Santas with new on-property record

Stud buyers held the box seatat the Rockingham Santa Gertrudis bull sale, held at Tara Station, Condobolin, on October 2.

All up, the Hague family sold 40 of 41 stud bulls to a new on-property record of $75,000 to average $15,525, up $4575 on last year.

Queensland demand was significant, with about a thirdof the offering heading north of the border.

Blackall bidders Lex Russell, Swan Hill Cattle Co, and Liz Allen, Forest Park Pastoral Co, secured the top bull, Rockingham User.

Son of Strathmore Quartz Q550 and out of Rockingham R61, the 23-month-old bull weighed 804 kilograms.

He scanned 11 millimetres and 19mm over the rib and rump, respectively, with a 135 square centimetre eye muscle area, 6.9 per cent intramuscular fat and 1.11kg average daily gain.

"He's a well-balanced bull with a good coat type and strong figures to match," Ms Russell said.

A return buyer, she noted Rockingham progeny had consistently performed well on her country.

Ms Russell particularly valued his EMA and IMF, adding that he carried impressive figures for a young bull.

Both buyers operate stud and commercial herds.

Ms Russell runs about 250 stud cows, alongside Santa Gertrudis, Charolais and Red Angus commercial cattle, targeting the feeder market, season dependent.

For Ms Allen, the purchase marked her first Rockingham bull.

She runs a pure Santa Gertrudis commercial herd focused on the weaner market, in addition to her 450 stud cows.

Sylvia Kirkby, Warenda Santa Gertrudis, Narrabri, paid $50,000 for Rockingham Ulysses.

Sired by Waco S136 and out of Rockingham R191, the 23-month-old weighed 718kg.

He had 7mm rib and 12mm rump fat, 133sq cm EMA, 5.5pc IMF and 0.98kg ADG.

"I really like his temperament, muscle pattern, coat type and sirey outlook," Mrs Kirkby said.

She also valued his strong weight-to-EMA ratio.

Alongside the Warenda stud, Mrs Kirkby runs a Santa Gertrudis commercial herd.

Ulysses will be joined to about 40 stud cows.

Andrew and Amanda Walker, Strathmore Santa Gertrudis, Blackall, Qld, bought Rockingham U-Beauty for $30,000.

The 25-month-old son of Moongana Play Boy 3654 and out of Rockingham K99, weighed 842kg.

He had 8mm rib and 16mm rump fat, 139sq cm EMA, 5.5pc IMF and 1.08kg ADG.

They also purchased three other bulls to average $18,000.

Volume buyer Budda Station Pastoral, Budda Station, Tilpa, secured five bulls to $16,000 to average $14,000.

Denngal Santa Gertrudis, Forbes, sold seven of eight stud bulls to $12,000 to average $7714.

In the females, 13 heifers on account of Budda Station Pastoral made $1825; 92 Rockingham non-station-mated heifers sold to $2000 to average $1768.

Jaydean Pastoral, Condobolin, sold 16 station-mated Santa Gertrudis heifers to $1975 to average $1958.

Dean Hague, Rockingham, said it was the stud's best sale.

"The most rewarding bit is the amount of stud interest and purchases we've had," he said.

"That also goes for our commercial clients, who are also chasing quality.

"It reflects that we're headed in the right direction."

Brett Hatton, Santahat stud, Monto, Qld, purchased Rockingham Underbelly for $26,000.

Thomas Fogden, Boulview Nangaringa, Loxton, South Australia, bought Rockingham Undone for $22,000.

Ian and Felicity Shaw, Glen Leigh Santa Gertrudis, Deepwater, secured Rockingham Upton and Rockingham Ultimate for $8000 and $16,000, respectively.

The sale was conducted by Nutrien Russell Livestock with John Settree and Hamish Adlington as auctioneer. AuctionsPlus provided the online interface.